EP2163893B1 - Separator - Google Patents

Abstract

A separator for extracting serum from a blood sample in a separation strip comprises a lower part (4) for receiving the strip, hinged (5) to an upper part (3). The upper part and/or the underside of the upper part has projection(s) (7a, 7b) for applying local pressure to the strip on folding the upper and lower parts together, so that serum exits from the back end of the strip on displacing the strip. An independent claim is included for separation strips for use in the separator, comprising a blood separation part; a holder for covering and fixing the separation part; a blood introduction section, formed in the section of the holder covering the front end of the separation part; and a blood extraction opening, formed in the section of the holder covering the back end of the separation part. At least one constriction is formed on the longitudinal side(s) of the strip and forms back and front buffers, so that the strip is movable over the distance defined by the buffers.

Description

The invention relates to a separator and a separation strip for separating blood serum or blood plasma from a blood sample.

Out EP 1 477 804 A For example, a separation system for separating blood serum from a blood sample is known. It is necessary to push the blood serum out of the separation strip.

This can be done, for example, by pressing with a tool or finger, in particular a fingernail on the separation strip and the tool or the finger is moved in the direction of an opening formed at one end of the separation strip to the blood serum through the opening of the To push separation strips out. This is impractical and carries the risk of damaging the separation strip and contaminating the blood serum.

DE 20 2006 007 817 U1 describes a separator for taking blood serum of a blood sample from a separation strip, with an upper part, with a lower part and with a joint. The upper part and the lower part are pivotally connected to each other by the hinge and the lower part is designed to receive the separation strip. At least one projection for exerting local pressure on the separation strip is formed on the lower part and / or on the lower side of the upper part when the upper part and the lower part are folded together so that blood serum exits the rear end of the separation strip when the separation tape is displaced.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device with which a certain amount of blood serum or blood plasma can be separated in a simple manner without damaging the separation test strip or contaminating the blood serum or blood plasma.

This object is achieved by a separator for the removal of blood serum or blood plasma from a separation strip according to the independent claim 1.

The invention accordingly relates to a separator for taking blood serum or blood plasma of a blood sample from a separation strip, which has a lower part and an upper part which can be displaced with respect to the lower part. The lower part can accommodate a separation strip, which can be inserted or inserted for this purpose on the lower part or in a recess provided on the lower part. On the underside of the upper part, at least one projection is provided, which exerts local pressure on the inserted separation strip. When moving the upper part in the direction of the front end of the inserted separation strip, the blood serum or blood plasma is stripped out of the front end and thus exits the separation strip.

According to a basic idea of the invention, a defined, local pressure is exerted on the separation strip by such a separator, by displacement of the upper part relative to the lower part, the projection acts on the separation strip and thus the blood serum or blood plasma is removed from the separation strip without contact or damage.

By arranging and moving the upper part at a defined distance from the lower part, a constant pressure is exerted on the separation strip by the projection and the blood serum or blood plasma is removed from the separation strip with constant efficiency.

In a first embodiment of this separator according to the invention, the projection is a roller or roller, which achieves a gentle treatment of the separation strip, avoids damage to the separation strip and ensures particularly efficient removal of the blood serum or blood plasma. The roller or roller is in particular rotatable about an axis embedded in the upper part.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, an electric drive motor for the roller can be provided, which is integrated, for example, in the upper part, to automatically and at a predetermined speed and thus more reliably pull the blood serum or blood plasma out of the separation strip.

The sliding mechanism of the upper part relative to the lower part according to the invention is carried out as follows: In the lower part, two guide rails are provided, on which the upper part can be moved relative to the lower part by two protruding from the upper part current in the guide rails engaging.

In order to ensure a maximum displacement position of the upper part relative to the lower part, at least one stop can be provided. This can be formed for example by the end of the guide rail, against which a slider or sliding element abuts.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the upper part has a recess which is arranged so that the blood serum or blood plasma leaked from the rear end of the separation strip is accessible when the upper part has been displaced with respect to the lower part and the blood serum or the like by the action of the projection Blood plasma has emerged from the rear end of the separation strip. This recess can be arranged in particular in a central region of the rear end of the upper part.

As an alternative to a recess, the upper part can be made shorter, so that its end is arranged in the maximum displacement position so that the blood serum or blood plasma leaked out of the rear end of the separation strip is accessible.

According to the invention, the depression in each case has a nose-shaped formation on both longitudinal sides.

This shape is dimensioned so that it engages in a corresponding section of the separation strip and thus fixes the separation strip in or on the lower part.

In a further embodiment, a time measuring unit is provided with a signal generator in the upper part or the lower part. The time measuring unit measures a predefinable time interval, and the signal transmitter emits an optical or acoustic signal after this time interval. The time measuring unit can be operated via control buttons by which the required time interval can be set manually. The beginning of the time interval measurement of the time measuring unit can be detected by pressing a control key, by inserting the Separationsstreifwaswas by a switch or sensor, in the pivoting variant of the separator by folding the upper and lower part, which can be detected by a switch or sensor, and at the sliding variant of the separator by placing the upper part on the lower part, which can be detected by a switch or sensor, are displayed. The signal generator may be in the form of a digital display whose digits begin to glow or flash after the time interval has elapsed. The signal generator can also be an LED or a buzzer.

Fig. 1a

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines bekannten Separators im aufgeklappten Zustand;

Fig. 1b

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines bekannten Separators im aufgeklappten Zustand;

Fig. 1c

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines bekannten Separators im aufgeklappten Zustand;

Fig. 1d

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines bekannten Separators im aufgeklappten Zustand;

Fig. 1e

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines bekannten Separators im aufgeklappten Zustand;

Fig. 1

f zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines bekannten Separators im aufgeklappten Zustand;

Fig. 2a

zeigt eine Schnittdarstellung eines Separationsstreifens;

Fig. 2b

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf den Separationsstreifen aus Fig. 2a;

Fig. 3

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf einen zweiten Separationsstreifen;

Fig. 4

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf einen dritten Separationsstreifen;

Fig. 5

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf einen vierten Separationsstreifen;

Fig. 6

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf einen fünften Separationsstreifen;

Fig. 7

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf einen sechsten Separationsstreifen;

Fig. 8

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht des Separators aus Fig. 1a im aufgeklappten Zustand, in den der Separationsstreifen aus Fig. 3 eingelegt ist;

Fig. 9a

zeigt eine Seitenansicht des Separators aus Fig. 1a im aufgeklappten Zustand;

Fig. 9b

zeigt eine Schnittdarstellung des Separators aus Fig. 1 a im aufgeklappten Zustand;

Fig. 10

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Gelenkstiftes;

Fig. 11

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Separators mit einem Unterteil und einem von diesem abgenommenen Oberteil gemäss einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 12

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht des Oberteils aus Fig. 11 schräg von unten; und

Fig. 13

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Separators mit dem auf das Unterteil aufgesetzten Oberteil in einer maximalen Verschiebeposition.

The invention will now be described in detail by means of embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

Fig. 1a

shows a perspective view of a known separator in the unfolded state;

Fig. 1b

shows a perspective view of a known separator in the unfolded state;

Fig. 1c

shows a perspective view of a known separator in the unfolded state;

Fig. 1d

shows a perspective view of a known separator in the unfolded state;

Fig. 1e

shows a perspective view of a known separator in the unfolded state;

Fig. 1

Figure f shows a perspective view of a known separator in the unfolded state;

Fig. 2a

shows a sectional view of a separation strip;

Fig. 2b

shows a plan view of the separation strip Fig. 2a ;

Fig. 3

shows a plan view of a second separation strip;

Fig. 4

shows a plan view of a third separation strip;

Fig. 5

shows a plan view of a fourth separation strip;

Fig. 6

shows a plan view of a fifth separation strip;

Fig. 7

shows a plan view of a sixth separation strip;

Fig. 8

shows a perspective view of the separator Fig. 1a in the unfolded state, in the separation strip Fig. 3 is inserted;

Fig. 9a

shows a side view of the separator Fig. 1a in the unfolded state;

Fig. 9b

shows a sectional view of the separator Fig. 1 a in the unfolded state;

Fig. 10

shows a perspective view of a hinge pin;

Fig. 11

shows a perspective view of a separator according to the invention with a lower part and a detached from this upper part according to an embodiment;

Fig. 12

shows a perspective view of the upper part Fig. 11 diagonally from below; and

Fig. 13

shows a perspective view of the separator according to the invention with the upper part placed on the upper part in a maximum displacement position.

The show Fig. 1 to 10 no embodiments of the claimed invention, but only serve to explain the technical background of the invention.

Fig. 1a shows a perspective view of a separator 1a, as for example DE 20 2006 007 817 U1 is known, in the unfolded state without an inserted separation strip.

The separator 1a comprises a lower part 4 and an upper part 3, which is shown in a nearly vertical position to the lower part 4. In its lower region, the upper part 3 at right angles to the upper part 3 attaching joint projections. By these joint projections and by the enclosed by these joint projections, in Fig. 1a On the left arranged stepped end portion of the lower part 4 are bores through which a hinge pin 15 is guided, whereby the hinge 5 is formed, around which the lower part 4 and the upper part 3 can be pivoted and folded.

The material thickness and the dimensions of the upper part 3 and the lower part 4 are approximately identical. The in Fig. 1a to the right extending edges of the lower part 4 are rounded, as it is with the in Fig. 1a Accordingly, the side surfaces of the upper part 3 and the lower part 4 in the folded state are approximately aligned with each other.

As in Fig. 1a can be clearly seen, the upper part 3 has a recess 8 near the joint, so that in the folded state of the first separator 1a that the rear end of the upper side of the lower part 4 is accessible from above.

On the upper side of the lower part 4, a recess 6 is formed, which extends from the front to the rear over the top of the lower part 4 and is bounded to the rear, to the left and to the right by side walls and open towards the front. In the Fig. 1a Rear side wall can also have a breakthrough, so that the separated blood serum or blood plasma can be easily removed.

On the left and the right side wall of the recess 6, opposite, nose-shaped formations 9 are formed, which protrude laterally into the recess 6 and thus reduce their width in this area. The two nose-shaped formations 9 are in Fig. 1a arranged in a front region of the recess 6, and they represent stops 9 for a separation strip according to the invention, which will be explained in more detail below.

On the upper part 3, directly adjacent to the rectangular recess 8 is a sill-shaped and extending transversely to the recess 6, the first Projection 7a formed in Fig. 1a facing forward and is therefore directed in the folded state of the first separator 1a down.

On the bottom .der recess 6, a second projection 7 b is arranged in a rear portion of the recess 6, the in Fig. 1a protrudes upward from the recess 6. This second projection 7b is arranged to cooperate with the first projection 7a in the folded state of the first separator 1a. The second projection 7b is also arranged in a sill and transverse to the longitudinal direction of the recess 6.

The projections 7a and 7b in Fig. 1a For example, one of the two protrusions may have a greater width, or the protrusions may have a curved or rounded shape.

In the upper part 3, a time measuring unit 48 is integrated, which in Fig. 1a a digital display and two control buttons arranged to the right. The time measuring unit 48 can be used to stop a time interval required for the blood serum or blood plasma in the separation strip to separate from the red blood cells by capillary action and to accumulate at the front end of the blood separation part near the blood withdrawal opening. After expiration of this time interval, the blood serum or blood plasma can be removed from the separation strip by the separator 1a.

The time interval can be set manually using the control buttons. For example, an adult blood sample requires a time interval of about 0.5 minutes, a newborn blood sample a time interval of about 1 minute, and a blood sample of a premature baby a time interval of about 2 minutes.

The time interval begins with the introduction of a blood sample into the separation strip. The beginning of the time interval measurement is displayed to the time measuring unit 48 by operating a control key of the time measuring unit 48. Alternatively, the beginning of the time interval measurement can also be done from the time of folding of the upper part 3 and lower part 4, which by a in the FIG. 1a not shown switch or sensor is detected.

After the time interval has expired, an acoustic or optical signal can be output by the time measuring unit 48, which signals that the separation strip can now be withdrawn in order to strip out the blood serum or blood plasma.

In the simplest embodiment of the time measuring unit 48, instead of a digital display, it can have an LED which starts to glow or flash after the time interval has elapsed, and / or a buzzer which generates a buzzer after the time interval has elapsed.

Although the time measuring unit 48 is shown only in the first separator 1 a, the time measuring unit 48 may also be integrated in the following separators 1 b, 1 c, 1 d and 1 e. A separate description of the time measuring unit 48 with respect to the separators 1 b, 1 c, 1 d and 1 e is omitted in order to avoid repetition.

Fig. 1b shows a perspective view of a second separator 1 b in the unfolded state without an inserted separation strip.

The second separator 1b differs from the first separator 1a in that instead of the first projection 7a and the second projection 7b, a semicircular third projection 27a and a semicircular fourth projection 27b are provided. The openings of the semicircle of the third projection 27a and the fourth projection 27b point in the direction of the hinge 5.

Fig. 1c shows a perspective view of a third separator 1c in the unfolded state without an inserted separation strip.

The third separator 1 c differs from the first separator 1 a in that instead of the first projection 7 a and the second projection 7 b, a V-shaped fifth projection 37 a and a V-shaped sixth projection 37 b are provided, which form the shape of legs of an isosceles Triangles have, with the apex of the triangle, at which the two legs are connected to each other, facing away from the hinge 5.

Fig. 1d shows a perspective view of a fourth separator 1 d in the unfolded state without an inserted separation strip.

The fourth separator 1d is different from the first separator 1a in that a first roller 47a and a second roller 47b are provided instead of the first projection 7a and the second projection 7b. By the provision of the rollers 47a and 47b can be moved and shifted with less effort and therefore easier for the separation strips.

The first roller 47a and the second roller 47b are arranged at approximately the level of the underside of the upper part 3 and the upper side of the lower part 4 and arranged in particular in the upper part 3 and the lower part 4, at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the recess 6 and to the direction of movement of Separation strip oriented first axis 7c and second axis 7d rotatably mounted so that they are set in a movement or displacement of the separation strip in a rotary motion.

Alternatively, at least one in Figure 1d not shown electric drive motor can be provided which drives the rollers 47a and 47b in operation. This drive motor is advantageously integrated in the upper part 3 or in the lower part 4 of the fourth separator 1d. When both rollers 47a and 47b are to be driven, a common drive motor may be provided in the upper part 3 or in the lower part 4, or one electric drive motor may be provided for the roller 47a in the upper part 3 and for the roller 47b in the lower part 4 be provided.

Fig. 1e shows a perspective view of a fifth separator 1 e in the unfolded state without an inserted separation strip.

The fifth separator 1 e differs from the first separator 1 a in that permanent magnets 22 are arranged in the rounded corners of the upper part 3 and in the rounded corners of the lower part 4. These have in the exemplary representation according to Fig. 1e a circular cross section are arranged so as to face each other in the folded state of the fifth separator 1e. The permanent magnets 22 of the upper part 3 and the permanent magnets 22 of the lower part 4 are magnetized oppositely, so that they attract each other. As a result, when the fifth separator 1e collapses, a defined force acts between the upper part 3 and the lower part 4, which replaces manual compression of upper part 3 and lower part 4.

Fig. 1f shows a perspective view of a sixth separator 1f in the unfolded state without an inserted separation strip.

The sixth separator 1f differs from the third separator 1c in that the V-shaped projections 38a and 38b are in the shape of legs of an isosceles triangle, with the apex of the triangle at which the two legs are connected to each other toward the hinge 5 shows.

Fig. 2 shows a first separation strip 2a in a sectional view ( Fig. 2a ) and in a plan view ( Fig. 2b ).

This first separation strip 2a is for separating blood serum or blood plasma from a blood sample. In the middle area of the Fig. 2a a blood separation part 11 is shown, which is surrounded by a holding part 10. The holding part 10 comprises a lower holding part 10 a and an upper holding part 10 b, which surround the blood separation part 11. In the in Fig. 2a On the left-hand front portion of the upper holding portion 10b, a first blood introduction portion 12a is formed, through which a blood sample can be introduced into the blood separation portion 11. In the in Fig. 2a On the right-hand side of the upper holding part 10b, a blood discharge opening 13 is formed.

Fig. 2b shows the holding part 10, which surrounds the blood separation part 11 shown in dashed lines in the plan view. The first blood introduction portion 12 a is in the in Fig. 2b To recognize left front end portion of the Blutseparationsteils 11 well.

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of a second separation strip 20a.

The second separation strip 20a is different from the first separation strip 2a as shown in FIGS Fig. 2a and 2b is shown, characterized in that on the longitudinal sides of the second separation strip 20a each rectangular cutouts 14 are formed with a rear stop 14a and with a front stop 14b. These stops 14a and 14b, in the state inserted into the separator, respectively abut on the nose-shaped formations 9, so that the second separation strip 20a can be moved between two defined positions with respect to the separator.

The in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 The region of the separation strip 2a or 20a designated as the first blood introduction section 12a can also be referred to as a separation field. The separation strips 2a and 20a are on their underside with a in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 not recognizable running number provided.

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a third separation strip 2b, and Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a fourth separation strip 20b.

The third separation strip 2b and the fourth separation strip 20b differ from the first separation strip 2a and the second separation strip 20a only by the blood introduction portion 12b thereof whose rear side is semicircular.

Fig. 6 shows a plan view of a fifth separation strip 2c, and Fig. 7 shows a plan view of a sixth separation strip 20c.

The fifth separation strip 2c and the sixth separation strip 20c differ from the first separation strip 2a and the second separation strip 20a only by their blood introduction portion 12c whose rear side is V-shaped.

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the first separator 1a in the unfolded state with inserted second separation strip 20a.

At the top of the second separation strip 20a, the first blood introduction section 12a is clearly visible. The blood removal opening 13, which is likewise arranged on the upper side of the second separation strip 20a, is located on the in FIG Fig. 8 shown on the left rear end of the second separation strip 20a shown in dashed lines. The formed in the recess 6 second projection 7b is in Fig. 4 Accordingly, not to be recognized, especially since it is covered by the second separation strip 20a.

In Fig. 8 It can also be clearly seen that the front stops 14b of the cutouts 14 of the second separation strip 20a bear against the nose-shaped formations 9, and that the second separation strip 20a is thus in the inserted position.

Fig. 9a shows a representation of a longitudinal section of the first separator 1 a in the unfolded state.

In the upper part of the vertically arranged upper part 3 can be seen, which pivotable by the hinge pin 15 with the in Fig. 9a level lower part 4 is connected. At the rearwardly facing upper side of the upper part 3, a recess 16 is arranged, in the example. A type designation or a company logo is introduced. At the bottom of the upper part 3, the first projection 7a can be seen, which points to the front. At the top of the lower part 4 the nose-shaped formation 9 formed on the side walls of the depression can also be seen, as well as the second projection 7b formed on the bottom of the depression 6.

Fig. 9b shows a side view of the first separator 1 a in the unfolded state.

In this case, the horizontally arranged lower part 4 and the vertically arranged upper part 3 can be seen. Furthermore, the arranged on the underside of the upper part 3 first projection 7a can be seen.

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the hinge pin 15th

In this case, the hinge pin 15 comprises a head 18 having an end face 19 into which a slot 20 is inserted, in which a screwdriver engage and so can move or pivot the hinge pin 15. Furthermore, the hinge pin 15 has a pin 17 which has a smaller diameter than the head 18 and which is spaced from the head 18 by a notch 21. In Fig. 10 the bolt 17 is shown shortened. In practice, the bolt is formed so long that it extends from the head 18 through the lower part 4 to the opposite hinge portion of the upper part 3.

The separator 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e and 1f having the second separation strip 20a is operated as follows:

First, a blood sample of about 50 μl of blood is, for example, pipetted onto the first blood introduction portion 12a. In this case, the blood serum or blood plasma is separated from the red blood corpuscles by capillary action so that the blood serum or blood plasma accumulates at the rear end of the blood separation part 11 near the blood withdrawal opening 13.

Thereafter, the second separation strip 20a becomes, as in FIG Fig. 8 1, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d, 1 e, and 1 f so that the front stops 14 b abut against the nose-shaped protrusions 9, with the first blood introduction portion 12 a facing upward. The second separation strip 20a is thus in the inserted state.

After a time interval of about 0.5 to 2 minutes, depending on the analyte, the upper part 3 and the lower part 4 are folded, and the separator is thus closed. The upper part 3 and the lower part 4 are held slightly pressed against each other, and at the same time the second separation strip 20a becomes careful retracted until the rear stops 14a abut the nose-shaped protrusions 9. When using the fifth separator 1 e with permanent magnets 22, the manual pressing together of upper part 3 and lower part 4 can be omitted, since upper part 3 and lower part 4 are pressed against each other by magnetic force.

By the action of the projections 7a and 7b on the blood separation part 11, the blood serum or blood plasma is now stripped out of the blood withdrawal opening 13 and exits at the tip of the second separation strip 20a.

When the second separator 1b, the third separator 1c or the sixth separator 1f is used, the semicircular protrusions 27a and 27b and the V-shaped protrusions 37a and 37b and 38a and 38b, respectively, pull the second separation strip 20a out of the recess 6 the blood serum or blood plasma is concentrated in the middle of the second separation strip 20a and pushed out centrally from the second separation strip 20a.

When using the fourth separator 1d, the blood serum or blood plasma is pressed out of the second separation strip 20a in a particularly gentle manner by the rollers 47a and 47b when the second separation strip 20a is withdrawn from the depression 6.

If a fourth separation strip 20b having a semicircular blood introduction section 12b or a sixth separation strip 20c having a V-shaped blood introduction section 12c is used in place of the second separation strip 20a, the blood serum or blood plasma is better concentrated and squeezed out in the middle of the bluff introduction section 12b and 12c.

The blood serum or blood plasma can now be removed without contact, for example. It can be sucked up with a capillary cuvette. Finally, the capillary cuvette should be sealed in particular with a sealing kit to prevent the blood serum or blood plasma from flowing out. The capillary cuvette is now ready for measurement.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a separator 50 according to the invention with a lower part 52 and a detached from this upper part 60th

The lower part 52 and the upper part 60 each have the same thickness and a respective substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners, wherein in the central region of the rear end of the upper part 60, a rectangular recess 62 is arranged. In the side portions of the surface of the base 52 are two elongated guide rails 58 are formed, which in Fig. 11 are formed in the form of longitudinal grooves. On the upper side of the lower part 52, an elongated recess 54 is formed, which extends from the front to the rear over the top of the lower part 52 and which is bounded to the rear, to the left and to the right by side walls and open towards the front. The rear side wall can also have a breakthrough, so that the separated blood serum or blood plasma can be easily removed.

On the left and the right side wall of the recess 54, opposing fixing lugs 56 are arranged in a front region, the width of each of which corresponds to the width of the cutouts 14 of the separation strips 20a, 20b and 20c. By means of these fixing lugs 56, a separation strip 20a, 20b, 20c inserted into the recess 54 can be reliably fixed and held in position.

Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the upper part 60 obliquely from below.

Directly in front of the rectangular recess 62 on the rear side of the upper part 60, a roller 64 is arranged, which is rotatably mounted about an axis disposed approximately at the level of the underside of the upper part 60 and at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the recess 54 and to the direction of movement of the separation strip. The roller 64 thus stands a little way down from the bottom of the upper part 60 out, so that the roller 64 rolls in a sliding movement of the separation strip and strikes the blood serum or blood plasma from this under pressure on the separation strip.

At the side portions of the top 60 next to the recess 62, two sliders 66 protrude downwardly from the surface thereof. These sliders 66 may be inserted into the guide rails 58 of the base 52 and guide the top 60 during its sliding movement in the guide rails 58. The sliders 66 are located behind the roller 64 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the sixth separator 50 so as to contact the abut the rear ends of the guide rails 58 and limit the sliding movement of the upper part 60 to the rear, so that the roller 64, although the blood serum or blood plasma herausstreift from the blood collection port 13, but not with the stripped blood serum or blood plasma in the rear portion of the separation strip 20a, 20b, 20c comes into contact.

By the oberteitseitigen slider 66 and the dividing side guide rails 58 thus a displacement mechanism is formed, with which the upper part 60 can be moved relative to the lower part 52.

This displacement mechanism is in the FIGS. 11 to 13 given only by way of example, it can be carried out in any desired manner within the scope specified by claim 1. For example, guide rails may be provided in the side surfaces of the base 52, and the top 60 may be wider than the base 52 and may include sliders that engage the side rails of the base 52. In this case, the upper part 60 relative to the lower part 52 so far backward displaced that the recess 54 is exposed and the separation strip 20a, 20b, 20c can be inserted. As in the execution according to the FIGS. 11 to 13 For example, the sliders may be arranged with respect to the longitudinal direction so as to abut the rearward ends of the lateral guide rails and limit the sliding movement of the upper portion 60 backward, so that the roller 64 may scrape out the blood serum or blood plasma from the blood collection port 13 does not come into contact with the streaked blood serum or blood plasma in the rear portion of the separation strip 20a, 20b, 20c.

Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of the separator 50 according to the invention with the upper part 52 placed on the upper part 60 in a maximum displacement position.

Here are what's in Fig. 13 can not be seen, the slider 66 struck against the rear ends of the guide rails 58, and the rear end of the upper part 60 is above that of the lower part 52 out.

Furthermore, a time measuring unit 68 with a digital display and two operating keys, which corresponds to the time measuring unit 48 of the first separator 1a, is arranged on the upper side of the upper part 60 in a front area.

• Zunächst wird der Separationsstreifen 20a, 20b, 20c mit nach oben weisendem ersten Bluteinführungsabschnitt 12a so in den Separator 50 gelegt, dass die Fixierungsnasen 56 in den Ausschnitt 14 eingreifen und dass der Separationsstreifen 20a, 20b, 20c so gegenüber dem Unterteil 52 fixiert und in Position gehalten wird. Dann wird eine Blutprobe von etwa 50 µl Blut beispielsweise mit einer Pipette auf den ersten Bluteinführungsabschnitt 12a, 12b, 12c gegeben, und das Blutserum bzw. das Blutplasma trennt sich durch Kapillarwirkung von den roten Blutkörperchen derart, dass es sich an dem hinteren Ende des Blutseparationsteils 11 nahe der Blutentnahmeöffnung 13 ansammelt. Nun wird das Oberteil 60 fluchtend auf das Unterteil 52 aufgesetzt, so dass die Gleiter 66 in den Führungsschienen 58 angeordnet sind. Entweder durch Tastendruck oder durch einen Schalter oder Sensor, der das Aufsetzen des Oberteils 60 auf das Unterteil 52 erkennt, wird die Zeitmesseinheit 68 gestartet. Nach Ablauf des vorgegebenen Zeitintervalls gibt dieser ein akustisches oder optisches Signal aus. Danach wird das Oberteil 60 manuell oder motorisch über einen integrierten Elektromotor gegenüber dem Unterteil 52 nach hinten verschoben, bis die Gleiter 66 gegen die Enden der Führungsschienen 58 anschlagen. Dabei wird durch das Einwirken der Rolle 64 auf das Blutseparationsteil 11 das Blutserum bzw. das Blutplasma aus der Blutentnahmeöffnung 13 herausgestreift und tritt an der Spitze des Separationsstreifens 20a, 20b, 20c aus.

The separator 50 according to the invention with the separation strip 20a, 20b, 20c is operated as follows:

• First, the separation strip 20a, 20b, 20c is placed in the separator 50 with the first blood introduction portion 12a facing upward such that the fixation lugs 56 engage the cutout 14 and the separation strip 20a, 20b, 20c is fixed to the base 52 and in position is held. Then, a blood sample of about 50 μl of blood is, for example, pipetted onto the first blood introduction portion 12a, 12b, 12c, and the blood serum separates from the red blood cells by capillary action such that it is at the rear end of the blood separation portion 11 accumulates near the blood collection port 13. Now, the upper part 60 is placed in alignment with the lower part 52, so that the sliders 66 are arranged in the guide rails 58. Either by pressing a button or by a switch or Sensor, which detects the placement of the upper part 60 on the lower part 52, the time measuring unit 68 is started. After expiration of the predetermined time interval, this emits an acoustic or optical signal. Thereafter, the upper part 60 is moved manually or by motor via an integrated electric motor relative to the lower part 52 to the rear until the sliders 66 abut against the ends of the guide rails 58. In this case, by the action of the roller 64 on the blood separation part 11, the blood serum or the blood plasma is stripped out of the blood withdrawal opening 13 and exits at the tip of the separation strip 20a, 20b, 20c.

The blood serum or the blood plasma can now be removed through the recess 62 of the upper part 60, for example it can be sucked up with a capillary cuvette. Finally, the capillary cuvette should be sealed with a sealing kit in order to prevent blood serum from flowing out. The capillary cuvette is now ready for measurement.

Claims (5)

1. Separator (50) for the taking of blood serum or blood plasma contained in a blood sample from a separating strip (2a-c; 20a-c),
   comprising a bottom part (52) and a top part (60), which is slidable with respect to the bottom part (42);
   wherein an elongated indentation (54) for receiving the separating strip (2a-c; 20a-c) is formed on the upper side of the bottom part (52), the indentation (54) being limited by side walls on two opposite sides, wherein at each of the opposite side walls a nose-shaped lug (56) laterally protruding into the indentation is formed for fixing the separating strip inserted into the indentation (54),
   wherein at least one protrusion (64) for exerting a defined local pressure on the separating strip (2a-c; 20a-c) is provided at the lower side of the top part (60), wherein the protrusion (64) is formed so that blood serum or blood plasma comes out of the rear end of the separating strip (2a-c; 20a-c) when the top part (60) is slid with respect to the bottom part (52),
   wherein two sliders (66) protrude from the top part (60) and two guiding rails (58) for receiving the sliders (66) are formed in the bottom part (52) in order to guide the top part during the sliding movement.
2. Separator (50) according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the protrusion is a roll (64).
3. Separator (50) according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   a driving motor for the roll (64) is provided.
4. Separator (50) according to any of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that
   the top part (60) has a cut-out (62) which is arranged so that the blood serum or blood plasma, which has come out from the rear end of the separating strip (2a-c; 20a-c), is accessible.
5. Separator (50) according to any of Claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that
   a time measurement unit (48), which measures a time interval which can be predetermined and emits an optical or acoustical signal after the expiration of said time interval, is provided in the top part (60) or in the bottom part (52).

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